Musicians Fostered by Fred Anderson Band Together to Pay Respects
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 15, 2011 4:20PM
Chicago's jazz community lost one of its champions last June with the passing of saxophonist Fred Anderson. With Anderson's passing came the closing of his club, the Velvet Lounge. Now, the musicians whose talents he encouraged are banding together for a couple of tributes this weekend and next week to honor the late lion.
On Sunday at the DuSable Museum (740 E. 56th Pl., 773-947-0600) will host a remembrance and musical celebration of Anderson's life from 3-5 p.m. that's free to attend. Performers include the AACM’s Great Black Music Ensemble, Josh Abrams, Ernie Adams, Dee Alexander, Tatsu Aoki, Harrison Bankhead, Mwata Bowden, Jeb Bishop, Ari Brown, Jeff Chan, Vincent Davis, Justin Dillard, Jimmy Ellis, Douglas R. Ewart, Alvin Fielder, Henry Grimes, Duriel Harris, Scott Hesse, Amy Homma, Fred Jackson Jr., Shaun Johnson, Lester Lashley, Nicole Mitchell, Dushun Mosley, Junius Paul, Willie Pickens, Avreeayl Ra, Preyas Roy, James Sanders, Isaiah Spencer, Martin Stonikas, Saalik Ziyad, and more.
Next Tuesday at 7 p.m. (what would have been Anderson's birthday), Jazz Showcase (806 S. Plymouth Ct., 312-360-0234) is hosting another tribute concert called "The Brotherhood of Fred." This one will feature some of Anderson's longtime collaborators, including bassists Tatsu Aoki and Harrison Bankhead, drummers Hamid Drake and Chad Taylor and saxophonist Kidd Jordan. Cover is $20 ($10 for seniors and musicians, $5 for students).